Happy Halloween

My friend Maria is a wonderful baker. Here are the Halloween creations that she baked and designed (I helped a little).

My camera isn't the greatest but if you try hard you can squint and see that we made a spider out of chocolate chips and the spider's legs out of a Tootsie Roll.

Happy Halloween!

The Sober Drunk Dial

I was thinking of how I should explain the drunk dial for those of you that don't know, but honestly it means exactly what you think it would mean. A drunk dial is when a person who drinks, drinks too much, gets drunk and dials up a previous boyfriend, girlfriend, old friend or acquaintance, etc. and declares some statement of undying love or some private statement that should have been left unsaid. It is famous in chick flicks and infamous with those who do it in reality. Don't think that because I don't drink, that I have not or am not capable of the sober drunk dial.

I was out to dinner with some friends and I was explaining the heartache I felt over not being able to explain myself to my ex-boyfriend and the heartache I felt that my ex-boyfriend would not take nor return any of my phone calls. My friend looked at me and said, "You've called him?" I explained that in a moment of loneliness and sadness, I might have made a phone call or two or three.... he gave me a look of pity and said, "And you don't even drink. Chris, we don't call ex-boyfriends, we are better than that." He then must have seen the sad look on my face because then he kindly said, "However, we all get over relationships in our own way but really Chris, no more phone calls!"

I don't know if it is that we are better than that but we should respect ourselves more than that. I realized that one of my catalyst for wanting to sober drunk dial is obviously not alcohol, it is those moments of lost faith and lost hope. They can happen any time but them seem to happen more frequently after  you  (or really when I) have watched a movie where the unlikely characters fall in a warm embrace and declare how no outside influence, no obstacle can stop them from their love. It makes you a bit sick but you also want just a piece of it. Someone who will defy all odds to come to your rescue. It is in those moments that you just want to pick up the phone and maybe have the other person on the other end say something, anything that would take away some of the loneliness, heartache and the unknown. Late nights, too much thinking time, quiet houses, cheesy movies, airplane trips, romantic holidays, holidays in general are all times that  we (or I) can be in danger of giving in to those moments and making a sober drunk dial, text, email. I would like to say that we should find a way to dig deep and stay strong and that we are where we are for a good reason and looking backwards has never been the solution. However, I personally know the struggle of trying to make sense of a situation that may never make sense and wanting to find a way to make the angst of it all go away.

For the record, I should get some points for tonight because after the couple kissed and the credits rolled, I spent a few minutes reminiscing about my past and then reality grabbed hold and I wrote this post because as my friend said, "We ARE better than that!" So, here is to not sober drunk dialing. Cheers!!

To Be Loved

Tonight I spent the evening having dinner and watching Good Eats with the kids. Eric was in a good mood and just kept close to me. At one point, he looked at me and said, "Aunt Chris, we are going to miss you." I said, "Eric, where are you going?" "To California on Thursday." he said. So, I got a big grin on my face and said, "Guess what Eric?" "What?" "I am going to California on Friday." His look was so adorable as he thought through what I said for a second then he threw his arms around himself in a hug and said, "We are going to see you in California!" Now that can make anyone's day. I am loved by a five year old. Does it get better than that?

The Language of Eric

Probably one of the best things about living with my sister is my five, almost six year old nephew Eric. He says and does the funniest things and I just can't get enough. Apparently, he doesn't love the fact that when he is angry, upset, wanting attention, etc., I think it is funny and I might start to laugh (just a little). So, he has started giving me these really bad looks and saying in a deep, growling voice, "NOT FUNNY!" Which honestly, makes me laugh harder. So, I have started doing my own version of his bad look and we see who can flinch first (I always win). Then he starts to laugh and we are back to being friends. If only all my relationships were that easy.

Enjoy the Ride

I commute daily and my commutes are frequently pretty miserable with all of the type-A personalities (not me, of course) on the roads. Not to mention that traffic in the Washington, D.C. area exists rain or shine. So, when I moved across the river to Virginia, I discovered some interesting things.

1. When you live in Virginia and work in Georgetown, you have to cross the river to get into the District and you only have 3 choices. Each bridge is like a choose your own adventure book where each ending results with you in traffic and adding a new gray hair to your head.

2. Drivers on toll-roads are scary and do not know how to yield to merging traffic.

3. Leaving early, late, in between does not change your chances of hitting traffic.

4. If someone is signaling, it's a miracle. If they keep signaling right, expect that they are going left.

5. Owners of foreign cars think that they are on the autobahn and expect respect.

6. You can usually tell the ego of the driver by the make of their car.

7. Patience is a virtue.

I have also learned:

1. There is something to be said for the saying, "Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride."

2. Many memorable conversation have been had with members of my family and friends while I am sitting in traffic (on a headset, of course).

3. Singing really loudly in the car to the radio is fun and hopefully makes people think that you are a superstar!

4. Commuting gives you time to think, pray (with your eyes open), plan and learn. (Lately, I have been downloading podcasts from the Mormon Channel. My favorites so far are called Conversations which are interviews with prominent Mormons. They have been a life-saver and exactly what I needed to add some daily inspiration.)

5. It only takes one nice person to let you in a lane.

6. Oh, and patience is still a virtue.

I am the new......

ASSISTANT WARD EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, what does that mean? The Ward Employment Specialist is assigned to "help people with their self-reliance through career development, job improvement, and small business management." I think I can do that. I do have some practice with helping people find jobs.

Today, I had a short orientation with the Stake & Ward Employment Specialist (same person) and I have my first appointment to meet with a woman this week to help her discuss ways that she can change jobs. I am still a bit nervous but I hope that with anything else that I will get more comfortable as I work through the learning curve.

Oh, and yes I owe 2 milkshakes! One to my nephew Jason and one to my brother-in-law Kent. Nice work you guys!

Milkshake Anyone?

Two nights ago I received a voice message from one of the counselors in my bishopric (I don't know if he is 1st or 2nd counselor). His message said, "Hi, Chris. I am calling to talk to you about a calling (Quoting About.com, "In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a "calling" is a position or assignment in which members have been asked to serve or perform. Members are called of God to serve each other, and all callings are important. Callings are voluntary, are issued by the proper authority, and are usually for a few years.") so if you have time tonight, you can call back or we can talk on Sunday........" Well, I could not take the suspense and called him right back and.....I got his voice mail. So, the next morning, I called him at work (the number was on my phone) and I graciously told him that I could not wait until Sunday. So, he presented me with a calling and I have accepted. I thought it would be fun to have people guess what my calling is and if you are right, I will buy you a milkshake.

Here are my hints: 1. I have never had this calling before. 2. My mom could not guess it and I let her play 20 questions. 3. I think that this is a really good calling for me.

So, if you want to play, leave a message (that is for all of you blogstalkers). I will be revealing my calling on Sunday.